By Caesar Vallejos, OPEN FOR BUSINESS
From Kenkoy to Pugad Baboy, icons of Pinoy pop culture will be showcased at the two-day EBC PopCon 2019.
On November 8-9, the Eagle Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) Building will be transformed as a pop culture show center that will house comic books, toys, games, anime displays, cartoon characters, cosplay, fun entertainment and other interests. A 1940s Batmobile replica and life-size statues will also be on display at the EBC grounds.
“Recognizing the growing influence of popular culture in today’s youth, the first-ever pop culture convention of EBC was conceptualized to study popular trends and how it is evolving and impacting on various disciplines and art forms,” EBC President Rowena dela Fuente-Deimoy said.
“The EBC PopCon 2019 is both an educational and entertaining event,” Vice President James Manzanero added.
Manzanero also encouraged attendees to “come in colorful wholesome costumes, or simply be themselves and meet and learn from artists and fellow enthusiasts.”
PopCon Forum
At the PopCon Forum, notable personalities in the field of comics creation, animation, illustration, events, and photography will share their techniques and creative insights.
Komiks writer Ian Velasquez, the grandson of Kenkoy creator Tony Velasquez, will talk about the first Philippine comics character. Original Kenkoy comics pages will also be on display at the event.
Other forum speakers include Pol Medina, creator, writer and artist of Pugad Baboy who will talk about ‘Comics Creation’. Joining him will be Shaira Venzon, Animation Post Production Producer of Synergy88; and Dennis Crisostomo, editor, and senior illustrator, EPIK Studio and illustrator for Marvel Comics, Pedro Penduko, and Forgotten Realms, whose topic will be ‘Illustration as a Business and Setting up your own studio’. Other resource persons are Ismael Esber, illustrator and visual artist for Darna; and Francis Lumahan, events and commercial photographer (Event Photography).
‘Illustration as a Career’ will be discussed by Harvey Tolibao, Co-Founder, HMT Studios and a comic book artist and illustrator for Marvel and DC Comics.
Digital Illustration will be tackled by Miguel Mercado, a digital illustrator and cover artist for IDW, Boom Comics, and Marvel Comics.
Cosplay Parade
International Cosplay Photographer Jay Tablante will be sharing his expertise on Cosplay Photography. He is the Author of Geekology 101 and Geekology 2.0 (Techniques in Cosplay Photography).
Adding excitement to the event will be the presence of Prince de Guzman, TV/Events Host, Actor, Model, SFX and Prosthetics Artist. Interesting topics about cosplay will be handled by Professional Brand Cosplayer Nio Infante and Glenmarc Antonio, Co-Founder of Justice PH. Antonio’s topic will be Cosplay for a Cause.
Fans and hobbyists of cosplay are expected to be clad in colorful costumes, masks, and accessories for the cosplay parade and competition. Winners will receive cash prizes at the closing ceremonies.
Exhibits and Entertainment
Table top and board games will engage participants while members of the family can enjoy various pop culture exhibits that include collectors’ items shared by enthusiasts.
Entertainment includes performances by FightSaber Philippines, the premiere LucasFilm-recognized lightsaber performance and costuming group in the Philippines, acrobat Abe Velasco and Japh Dolls.
The event will also give a special time for the lighting of the bat signal as part of the celebration of the Batman 80th anniversary.
There will also be booths selling Pinoy food such as balut, kakanin, isaw, and other Pinoy delicacies.
“EBC promotes the advocacy on entrepreneurship and events like this encourage small and medium scale enterprises to make and sell products that not only boost special interests and new industries but more importantly, help create livelihood opportunities,” Manzanero said.
“The movie and film industry is also innovating, and to know and feel the pulse of today’s pop culture will give EBC an greater upper hand in providing relevant content to help the younger audiences navigate these interesting times,” he ended.
The EBC Building where the event will be staged is located at No. 25 Central Avenue, New Era, Quezon City (beside INC Museum). For more details about the EBC PopCon 2019, you can call 87847460 local 1402 or 1161. You can also email the organizers at [email protected] or [email protected].
